MPs Approve Bill to Release Sh50.5 Billion to County Governments
Nairobi, April 25 – Parliament has passed the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill, clearing the way for the release of Sh50.5 billion to all 47 county governments.
The Bill, introduced by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, aims to enable the transfer of both conditional and unconditional funds from the National Government and international development partners to the counties.
According to Ichung’wah, the main goal of the Bill is to provide legal approval for transferring these funds during the 2024/25 financial year.
The allocations include money from the National Government’s own revenue as well as support from development agencies, which are all geared towards enhancing devolved services and improving county-level operations, as stated under Articles 202(2) and 190 of the Constitution.
The breakdown of the funds shows that Sh8.42 billion will come directly from the National Government’s revenue.
An additional Sh116.1 million will be sourced from fines collected by the Judiciary, while development partners—mainly the World Bank—will contribute Sh42 billion. Notably, the World Bank is funding projects worth Sh33.1 billion.
One of the major components of this funding is Sh3.23 billion allocated to support Community Health Promoters (CHPs) across the counties through the Afya Bora Mashinani programme.
This is a major initiative aimed at improving access to primary healthcare at the grassroots level.
Counties will also receive Sh1.76 billion under the Kenya Devolution Support Programme to strengthen the capacity of devolved units.
In addition, Sh2.9 billion has been allocated for the establishment of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) in 21 counties.
Each participating county will also contribute Sh250 million towards setting up these industrial parks, which are meant to boost local manufacturing and processing industries.
To help resolve salary delays affecting county health workers, the Bill sets aside Sh1.759 billion.
This funding is part of a Return-to-Work Agreement reached between the National Government and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), following recent industrial action.
Another Sh523.1 million has been earmarked for the construction of county headquarters in four counties that currently lack proper administrative offices: Isiolo, Lamu, Tana River, and Tharaka Nithi.
Besides these specific allocations, the Bill also details several development partner-supported projects that will benefit counties in critical sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, water and sanitation, climate change adaptation, urban development, and general support for devolution.
Once the President signs it into law, the Bill will unlock long-delayed funding that is essential for improving service delivery in the counties.
It will also support the completion of ongoing development projects, many of which have stalled due to lack of funds.
This move is expected to boost development at the local level and help counties meet the needs of their residents more effectively.
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